Luggage case



Patented United States Patent Joseph EugeneMarch Chicago, Illinois 725,854

May I, 1968 Nov. 24, I970 I'lltt Luggage, Inc., Chicago, Illinois a corporation of Illinois Inventor Appl. No, Filed Assignee LUGGAGE CASE 7 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

Field olSearch .Q. 196/41,); i so, 2s, 54

190/49 1 m. Ci. A45e 13/96 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,828,844 4/1958 Arlitt 190/28 2,950,793 8/1960 Axtell.... 190/49 3,286,800 11/1966 Slan 190/49 3,330,389 7/1967 Kap1an.. 190/49 3,411,610 11/1968 Biaio 190/49 3,448,838 6/1969 iMaile 190/49 Primary Examiner-Donald F. Norton AnomeyAnderson, Luedeka, Fitch, Even and Tabin ABSTRACT: Concave sections of a luggage case are formed by securing a rim of a shell in a groove defined between a pair of flanges on one edge of the valences. The valences are bent into substantially rectangular shape and have inner flanges notched at the corners to prevent collapsing of the inner one of the flanges defining the shell-receiving groove. Prior to bending one of the valences, a strip of decorative material is easily slid into a groove formed on the outer side of the valence; and, after bending the valence, the strip is automati- I cally locked in the groove against sliding or shifting.

Patehted m. 24, 1970 FIG INVENTOR JOSEPH EUGENE MARCH ATTYS.

FlG.1;and v I v FIG. 3 isa'n. enlarged fragmentarysectional view of the T is closed.

- 1 LUGGAGE CASE This invention relates to luggage case s and,rnore particularly, to business and attache'cases formed with opposing concave sections and the method making the same.

An economical manner of manufacturing the'concave sections of articles of luggage is by molding a'plastic or a plastic laminate into a shell with a large, generally flat, center panel and a surrounding angularly disposed, integral sidewall to which is fastened a valence made of metal. The outer edges of the valences of opposing sectionsare formed withacooperating tongue and groove fit to provide a relatively tight seal and to interlock the sections, when joined, in such ama'nner that they reinforce one another against deformation.'An economi- I cal form of valence maybe provided from an extrusion 'of lightweight metal such as aluminum, magnesium or the like. In order to be satisfactory, such an extrusion should be'capable' of being beritirito agenerally rectangular configuration and shaped to facilitate 'connection' to the shells and to receive decorative strips or the like. Also, the extruded valence must be sufficiently strong towithstand abuse encounteredduring use and shipment of the case.

Accordingly, an ob ect of the; invention is to provide an improved luggage case having a metalvalence at the juncture between a pair of complementary sections.

Another object of the invention IS to provide an improved valence fora luggage case. i g

A further object of the invention is an improved method of making luggage cases.

Other objects and advantages'of the invention will'become apparent from the detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view ofa luggage-case, when opened,

and embodyingthe novel features of theinvention; W

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of a corner of the case looking substantially in the direction of the arrows 2-2 in valences as interfitted with one anotherwhen the luggage case As shown in the drawings for'the: purposes 'of illustration, the invention is embodied jna 'Iuggage'case ll'having upper and lower sections 13 and1 5, respectively, hingedly interconnected for'swinging movement betweenaclosed position'in which the sections are engaged around the facing peripheral edges thereof and an open position (FIG. 1) in which the upper or 'cover section 13 is disposed an'gularly to thev lower sectionwith the interior of theluggage case exposed. Each of the sections includes a molded; concaveshell 17 of thin lightweight material such as a plasticor a'laminate of plastic sheets formed to define a central panel 19am an integrally attached, peripheral sidewall2l disposed at angle 'to the central panel 19 and encircling same. To provide strength and rigidity to the shells" 17, a lower valence 23 is attached, to the peripheral edge of the lower shell and an upper valence 25 is attached to the peripheral edge of the-upper shell 17. The valences have outeredgeswhich meet and interlock in a tongue and groovefrelationship when the sections 13 and 1 'are disposed inthe closed position.

In accordancewith th presentiriventionpthe valences2 1 and 23 are'formed in a uniquemanne'r to grip the edges of the respective shells, to provide a rigid support for hardware such as locks 29 and a handle 31 and to receive an esthetically pleasing band33 or s trand 35lof decorative material. As'will be explained in greater detail, the valences are uniquely constructed to facilitate the bending thereof into a substantially rectangular shapeand to facilitate the'atta'ching of the decorativeband 33 to the lower valence 23 during'ass'embly of the luggage case. I I

Proceeding now with a more detailed description of the individual elements oflug gage case 11, shells 17 for the respective sections 13 and arepreferably identical in shapeso that they may be formed the same mold. The shells 17 may be fabricated of a lightweight material such as certain metals,

but are preferably formed by molding a laminate or a single decorative appearance of leather, into a concave orhollow configuration. The central panel 19 is substantially'rectangular and flat but may be bowed outwardly slightly if desired.

I The integral, sidewall 21 of the shell preferably flares outwardly from the central panel 19 at angle slightly greater than 90 to the central panel.

The lower valence strip 23 performs a number of functions.

a It carries the locks 29, which are preferably secured thereto by riveting them in place at locations spaced on opposite sides of a central handle mounting plate 39, which is also preferably fastened by rivets to the outer front side of the lower valence. To hold the cover section 13 at an inclined open position, there is provided a set of braces 41, each having a lower arm 43 pivotally attached at the interior surface of the sidewall 45 of the lower valence by rivets 47. The braces also include upper arms 49 which are pivotally secured to thecover section 13. .The arms 43 and 49 are pivotally fastened together by rivets 50.

To facilitate assembly and to provide a low cost construction, the lowervalence 23 is formed of an extruded light metal such as aluminum or magnesium with a novel cross section.

More specifically, the lower valence is formed'with a central web 51 (FIG. 3) which, along its lower edge, is provided with a pair of downwardly extending flanges 53 and 55 spaced from 'bites into and clamps the shell rim 59, whereby the valence 23 is securely joined to its shell 17.

I It will be appreciated that the valences are extruded in the form of long, straight strips (not shown) which are bent into a generally rectangular shape during fabrication of the case.

The shape of the valence, when formed, is such as to provide the receiving groove 57 with a suitable size and dimension to enable it to receive the shell rim 59. In accordance with the present invention, at each of the four corner locations 62 of the valence 23 (FIG. 2), a portion of the inner flange 5 3 is removed, as at 64, to prevent buckling of this inner flange at the corners during bending of the valence 23into the rectangular shape. The inner flange 53 will therefore not buckle inwardly at the corner locations during bending of the valence strip and project into the'groove 57, a situation which would stacle is avoided.

make it difficult or impossible to insert the shell rim 59 into the groove. v

Thus, an easy and inexpensive method of attaching the valence to the shell is provided and a potential problem or ob- Prior to'bending the lower valence strip 23, it is preferred to slide the decorative band 33, which is usually a thin, flat strip of the same material on the shells 17, into a groove formed on the outer side of the valence strip. This groove includes a pair of facing undercuts 01' slots 63 and 65 which receive and hold the longitudinally extending edges of the band 33. Theband 33 slides quite easily into and along the undercuts 63 and 65 for the full length of the valence strip when the valence strip is straight prior to bending into rectangular shape. After bending the valence strip into its rectangular shape, the decorative band 33 does not readily slide relative to the valence in the groove since the groove collapses slightly at the'bends and the band is effectively locked therein without the use of any adhesive or separate mechanical fasteners. However, the rivets and fasteners used to secure to the valence such hardware as the colored plastic such as polyethylene. The bead 66 is inserted into and retained in an encircling groove 67 having an opening in the face 69 of the flange 55 of the valence 23 through which the head is visible. The preferred bead 66 is in the form of a hollow tube which can be compressed and squeezed through the opening in the flange face 69.

To provide therequisite strength and to form a tongue 70,

the upper edge of the lower valence 23 is formed with athickened portion which extends both laterally inwardly and outwardly of the web 51 for a distance of about a one-sixteenth of an inch in each direction. The undercut 63 for the band 33 is formed along the underside of this tongue 70, and the top surface of the tongue 70 provides a strong, wide and flat surface for insertion into a groove in the upper section 13, as will be explained The inwardly projecting portion of the top surface serves as a strengthening rib which enables the valence to resist bowing or deformation, as when the case is being carried with contents of significant weight.

The upper valence 25 is likewise formed of extruded metal such as aluminum or magnesium and has a pair of flanges 73 and 75 spaced apart and defining between them a groove 77 to receive the shell rim 59 of the upper shell 17. The upper valence 25 is likewise extruded as a straight, long strip which is later bent into a generally rectangular shape. To assure that the groove 77 will remain open at the corners after bending the interior one of the flanges, 73, is notched, i.e., cut away, at each of the corner locations. After the shell rim 59 is in the groove 77, the interior flange 75 is clenched to close on the rim to thus secure the upper shell to the upper valence 25.

This upper valence 25 is a relatively narrow band in comparison to the wider lower valence 23 and functions primarily to receive and to interlock with the tongue 70 of the lower valence when the luggage case is closed. The groove for receiving this tongue 70 is defined partially by a depending outer lip 81 extending downwardly from an inner flat wall 83 which abuts the top surface of the tongue 70 on the lower valence 23 when the luggage case is closed, The depending lip 81 thus provides an outer seal about the tongue 70 and interlocks therewith to resist permanent deflection of the shells, as for example, during a dropping of the luggage case.

Preferably, the upper valence 25 also is provided with an encircling bead 87 disposed in a groove 85 which opens in an outer face of the upper valence. The exposed exterior bead carrying faces of the respective valences 23 and 25 are, preferably, contoured similarly so that when the luggage case is closed the case has a symmetrical appearance which is enhanced by the fact that the respective beads 66 and 87 are equally spaced from the locks 29, handle mount 39, and central decorative band 33.

The cover section 13 is preferably provided with an expandable file'91 having separate dividers 93 defining pockets for receiving and holding papers or the like. The expandable file 91 may also include a backing sheet 95 secured to the inner side ofthe shell center panel 19 with a suitable adhesive. In this instance, the backing sheet 95 extends into the lower section and has a lower end 97 which is suitably adhered in position to cover the hinges and the interior surface of the rear wall of the valence 23. This backing sheet 95 also covers rivets securing a pair of feet (not shown) to the exterior of the rear shell sidewalls. These feet will support the case when the luggage case is placed on a support with the case oriented to a position in which the handle 31 is at the top of the luggage case.

The forward edge of the cover sectionl3 is provided a pair of hooks 99 which are fastened to the top shell 17 of the upper section 13 at positions which will align and insert the hooks 99 into slots 101 FIG. 2) of a lock mechanism in a housing 103 carried on the inner side of the front wall of the lower valence 23. The slots 1 01 provide ingress to latching members (not shown) in the housings 103. Slide operators 105 are disposed on the outer side of the forward valence wall for shifting the latch members to latch or to unlatch the hooks 99.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that a new and improved construction of valences, shells and decorative strips results in an inexpensive and easily assembled luggage case.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the preferred method of making the luggage comprised the steps of: providing the lower valence strip 23 with notched corners 62 in its inner flange 53 and the upper valence 25 with notches in its inner flange 73, sliding the decorative band 33 into the grooves formed on the outer surface of the valence 23 while this valence strip.is straight, bending the valence strips into substantially rectangular configuration with the notches being located at the corner of the rectangle, inserting the rims 59 of the respective shells into the attaching grooves in the valences and securing the valences to the shells, and pivotally connecting the shells, as by hinges, for swinging movement between open and closed positions.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure but, rather, it is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

lclaim:

1. A luggage case comprising two opposed, concave shells, each shell including a central panel and an integral sidewall projecting outwardly from said central panel, a valence of extruded metal secured to the outer edge of the sidewall of each of said shells and thereby forming a section for said luggage case, each of said valences including a pair of spaced flanges defining a groove along one edge for receiving and for clamping to the outer rim of a respective one of said shells, the inner ones of said spaced flanges being notched at each corner to facilitate bending of the valences and forming the grooves for receiving the shell rims, means on the other edge of one of said valences defining a tongue and on the other edge of the other of said valences defining a groove for providing a seal when the luggage case is closed, and means for pivotally mounting said sections for movement between a closed position in which said valences are engaged in a tongue and groove relationship and an open position in which the sections are disposed angularly to expose the interior of the luggage case.

2.. A luggage case in accordance with claim 1 in which one of said valences has a pair of opposed encircling grooves in its outer face disposed substantially centrally of the luggage case, and in which a decorative band of material is inserted into said grooves and covers a central portion of its supporting valence.

3. A luggage case in accordance with claim 2 in which each of said valences is provided on its outer side with a beadreceiving groove, and in which a decorative bead is inserted into said last-mentioned groove.

4. A luggage case in accordance with claim 2 in which the shells are substantially identical and in which the valence carrying said decorative band is substantially wider than the other valence, and in which locking means and a handle are mounted on said wider valence at the locations on said decorative band.

5. A luggage case in accordance with claim 4 in which said wider valence is provided with a transversely extending portion at its outer edge to define the tongue and tostrengthen the outer edge of said wider valence.

6. A luggage case comprising two opposed concave shells, each shell including a central panel and an integral sidewall projecting outwardly from said central panel, a first valence of extruded metal having a pair of spaced, attaching flanges defining a groove along one edge thereof clamped to a rim of one of said shells, said first valence having a pair of opposed encircling grooves in its outer side, a decorative band of material inserted into said grooves and held thereby, a rib formed on the other edge of said valence defining a tongue for cooperating with the other valence, said other valence having a pair of spaced, attaching flanges defining a groove along one edge thereof for clamping to outer rim of the other of said shells, means on said other valence defining another groove for receiving said tongue when said luggage case is closed, each of said valences being formed into a substantially rectangular configuration with the inner one of its respective attachingflangesbeing notched at thecorners of the rectangle, thickness than said web defining a tongue at one end of said in a tongue and groove relationship and an open position in means for P tal u n i for movement web, ,a pair-of spaced flanges at the other end of said web between closed P in'which Said valemes are engaged defining a groove for receiving and for clenching attachment to a rim of a luggage shell and a means defining a pair of spaced, facing grooves on the outer wall of said body to receive a decorative band, said inner one of said flanges being i notched at corners of the rectangle.

which the shells are disposedangularly toexpose the'interior 5 ofthe luggage case. 7. A valence'for aluggag case, comprisinga rectangular body of extruded metal formed 'with'acentral web 'of a predetermined cross-sectional thickness, a 'rib of a greater 

